Plum tree named &#39;suplumthirtyeight&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety,  Prunus salicina,  cv. ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ is characterized by ripening very early in the harvest season, about ten days earlier than ‘Red Beaut’ (unpatented). The new variety is further characterized by relatively large-sized fruit for the season, smooth black skin, juicy amber flesh that has a sugar content of approximately 15° brix, and early full bloom compared to ‘Black Beaut’ (unpatented). The winter chilling requirement is estimated to be approximately 300 hours at or below approximately 7.2° C.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus salicina

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Suplumthirtyeight’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a newand distinct variety of plum, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumthirtyeight’The new variety was first hybridized by David Cain and selected by TerryBacon as breeder number: ‘97P047-010-311.’ The new variety was firstevaluated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Calif. in Kern County. The variety‘Suplumthirtyeight’ was originated by hybridization.

The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ is characterized by ripening veryearly in the season. The harvest season, May 12 through May 20, is aboutten days earlier than that of ‘Red Beaut’ (May 22 through June 1) in theWasco, Calif. area. The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ is furthercharacterized by relatively large-sized fruit for the season (averagefruit weight approximately 108 gm, compared to approximately 65 gm for‘Red Beaut’), smooth black skin, and juicy amber flesh that has a sugarcontent of approximately 15° brix.

The seed parent is an unpatented breeding selection, ‘92P037-130-001’,and the pollen parent is ‘Suplumtwenty’ (the subject of U.S. Plant Pat.No. 8363). The parent varieties were first crossed in February of 1997,with the date of planting of the progeny being February 1998, and thedate of first flowering being February 2000. The new plum variety‘Suplumthirtyeight’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon nearWasco, Kern County, Calif. in January 2003, by budding onto ‘Nemared’(unpatented) rootstock.

The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ is distinguished from its seedparent, ‘92P037-130-001’ in that the new variety ripens very early(around mid-May), while the seed parent ripens during late June. The newvariety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ also has a larger fruit size (approximately108 gm) compared to approximately 88 gm for the seed parent.

The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ is distinguished from its pollenparent, ‘Suplumtwenty’ in that the new variety ripens very early,(around mid-May), while the pollen parent ripens during late June toearly July. The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ also has a smaller fruitsize (approximately 108 gm) compared to 195 gm for ‘Suplumtwenty’.

The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ most closely resembles ‘Black Beaut’(unpatented) in that both varieties have smooth black skin, amber flesh,and similar sugar contents (approximately 15° brix). However, the newvariety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ ripens very early (mid-May), about threeweeks earlier than ‘Black Beaut’ (early- to mid-June). Full bloom of thenew variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ also takes place earlier (mid-February)compared to ‘Black Beaut’ (early March).

The new variety ‘Suplumthirtyeight’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, budding onto ‘Nemared’ rootstock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety‘Suplumthirtyeight.’ The illustration shows the upper and lower surfaceof the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruit divided acrossits suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remainingin place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after beingpicked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old‘Suplumthirtyeight’ plants on Nemared rootstock, grown in the vicinityof Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2005, and is believed to apply toplants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climateelsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on 3 year old tree on Nemared rootstock    unless otherwise noted.)    -   -   Size.—Medium. Normal for most plum varieties. Reaches a            height of approximately 3.5 meters including normal pruning.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous; growth of approximately 1.8 to 2            meters in height during the first growing season.        -   Growth.—Upright-spreading, with whippy growth that does not            branch readily.        -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set is usually two or more            times desired amount for marketable size fruit. Thinning and            spacing of fruit is necessary.        -   Form.—Vase formed.        -   Bearer.—Regular. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Unknown.        -   Canopy density.—Medium-dense. Pruning is required to open            tree vase shape, allowing more sunlight to center of tree.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.            Winter chilling requirement is approximately 300 hours at or            below approximately 7.2° C.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing for            relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been            designed. Under close observation in Kern County,            California, no particular plant/fruit disease            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line)    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 15 cm, varies with soil type,            fertility, climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.        -   Trunk color.—About Grey-brown 199B to Brown 200A, becomes            darker with age.-   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line)    -   -   Size.—Diameter ranged from approximately 5 to approximately            7 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness            with tree age.        -   Color.—Branches vary from about Grey-brown 199B to Brown            200A, becomes darker with age.        -   Lenticels.—Absent or very difficult to detect.-   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in January at midpoint of dormancy)    -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 4 mm.        -   Color.—Topside: About Greyed-orange 166C. Underside: About            Greyed-orange 168A.        -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Plentiful.        -   Color.—About Greyed-green 196C.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 mm.        -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Obovate. Width:            Approximately 2 mm. Length: Approximately 2.8 mm. Color:            About Greyed-orange 165B.        -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Elliptic. Width:            Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 1.8 mm. Color:            About Greyed-orange 177A. Number per node: Usually 2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of    current-season growth.)    -   -   Size.—Average length: Approximately 103 mm, including            petiole. Average width: Approximately 39 mm.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Color.—Upper surface. About Yellow-green 147A. Lower            surface. About Yellow-green 146B.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Tip.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire, finely crenate.        -   Venation.—Pinately net veined.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 10 mm.        -   Average diameter: Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About green 146C, becoming about red 46A.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Number.—Usually 2 per leaf bud when present.        -   Typical length.—Approximately 4 mm.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Form.—Globose.        -   Number.—Varies from 1 to 5.        -   Position.—Alternate on upper portion of petiole and base of            leaf blade.        -   Average size.—Approximately 0.7 mm by approximately 0.7 mm.        -   Color.—About green 146C.

FLOWERS: (Fully opened)

-   General:    -   -   Flower Blooming Period.—First bloom. Approximately Feb.            5, 2005. Full bloom: Approximately Feb. 10, 2005.        -   Size.—Average diameter: Approximately 26 mm.        -   Flower Aroma.—Very slight.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 7 to approximately 12 mm, average            approximately 10 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1 mm.        -   Color: About Yellow-green 144B.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Free.        -   Length.—Approximately 8 to approximately 10 mm, average            approximately 9 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Color.—White.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Slightly undulating.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic-triangular.        -   Color.—About Yellow-green 144B.        -   Surface Texture.—Smooth.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Ranges from approximately 20 to approximately 30,            average 25.        -   Average length.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Filament color.—About White 155A.        -   Anther color.—About Greyed-yellow 162A.        -   Flower pollen color.—About Greyed-yellow 162A.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually one, occasionally two.        -   Average length.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 1 mm.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Below to level            with anthers.

FRUIT

-   General: (Data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain    maximum quality under conditions stated in Description of Variety.)    -   -   Harvest.—Date of first pick: Approximately May 12, 2005.            Date of last pick: Approximately May 20, 2005.-   Size:    -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 55 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 58 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 58 mm.        -   Average weight.—Approximately 108 gm.-   Form:    -   -   Viewed from apex.—Rounded, symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Rounded, symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Rounded,            symmetrical.-   Apex shape: Slightly flattened.-   Fruit stem-end cavity depth: Shallow.-   Fruit stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Green 143C.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Tenacious.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Bloom.—Light amount.        -   Ground color.—Not visible.        -   Overcolor.—About Reddish-black 187A.        -   Taste.—Slightly tart to tart.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Juicy, fine.        -   Fibers.—Few.        -   Flavor.—Bland-sweet.        -   Brix.—Approximately 15°.        -   Juice.—Abundant.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Color.—The flesh is greenish-amber (about 151D) when firm,            becoming amber (about 163D) when ripe.-   Fruit use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance.-   Fruit shipping and keeping quality: Good, holds well in cold storage    for approximately 4 weeks and maintains good firmness and eating    quality, minimal bruising and scarring in packing and shipping    trials.-   Stone: (Measurements taken on dried stones.)    -   -   Stone freeness.—Clingstone.        -   Stone size.—Length: Approximately 18 mm. Diameter in line            with suture plane: Approximately 18 mm. Diameter            perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 8 mm.        -   Stone form.—Viewed from side: Rounded, symmetrical. Viewed            from stem end. Flattened, symmetrical.        -   Stone shape.—Base shape: Rounded at stem attachment. Apex            shape: Rounded with a small, sharp point.        -   Stone surface.—Irregularly furrowed throughout, lightly            ridged throughout, lightly pitted throughout.        -   Stone halves.—Nearly equal.        -   Stone ridges.—About 1 to 2 on each side of the suture, small            and narrow beginning at the base and extending approximately            three-fourths the length of the stone.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.        -   Stone tendency to split.—Slight.        -   Stone color.—About Greyed-orange 163A when dried.

1. A new and distinct plum tree as herein described and illustrated.